Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall
The Chronicle of Abbot Ralph of Coggeshall (Chronicon Anglicanum) is an indispensable medieval history that brings to life centuries of English and European affairs through the eyes of a learned Cistercian monk. Ralph of Coggeshall, abbot of the Abbey of Coggeshall in Essex in the early 13th century, continued and expanded his community’s chronicle, documenting events from the Norman Conquest of 1066 into the tumultuous reign of King Henry III. Blending eyewitness testimony, careful compilation, and the monastic commitment to record-keeping, this chronicle offers a rare narrative of political intrigue, royal power struggles, and social upheaval in England and beyond. Ralph’s work captures the reigns of pivotal figures such as Richard I and King John, providing invaluable insights into their characters, decisions, and the forces that shaped medieval rule. More than a simple annal, Chronicon Anglicanum conveys the texture of medieval life and governance, making it a rich source for scholars and readers fascinated by English history, monastic authorship, and the shaping of the medieval world.
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On 6th November 1765 Bishop William van Mildert was born to [his father] Cornelius van Mildert and [his mother] Martha Hill.
In 1790 Bishop William van Mildert (age 24) was Curate of Witham, Essex [Map].
In 1795 Bishop William van Mildert (age 29) and Jane Douglas (age 35) were married.
Before 1814 Bishop William van Mildert (age 48) became Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, where he gave the Bampton Lectures for 1814.
Before 1814 Bishop William van Mildert (age 48) became Rector of St Mary-le-Bow Church, Cheapside [Map].
In 1819 Bishop William van Mildert (age 53) was appointed Bishop of Llandaff which office he held until 1826.
In 1820 Bishop William van Mildert (age 54) was appointed Dean of St Paul's Cathedral which office he held until 1826.
In 1826 Bishop William van Mildert (age 60) was translated to Bishop of Durham.
In 1832 Bishop William van Mildert (age 66) gave Durham Castle [Map] and a large number of buildings on Palace Green, between the Castle and the Cathedral, as part of the foundation of Durham University. At the same time he arranged for the residence of the Bishop of Durham to be moved to Bishop Auckland, County Durham [Map].
Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes
Récits d’un bourgeois de Valenciennes aka The Chronicle of a Bourgeois of Valenciennes is a vivid 14th-century vernacular chronicle written by an anonymous urban chronicler from Valenciennes in the County of Hainaut. It survives in a manuscript that describes local and regional history from about 1253 to 1366, blending chronology, narrative episodes, and eyewitness-style accounts of political, military, and social events in medieval France, Flanders, and the Low Countries. The work begins with a chronological framework of events affecting Valenciennes and its region under rulers such as King Philip VI of France and the shifting allegiances of local nobility. It includes accounts of conflicts, sieges, diplomatic manoeuvres, and the impact of broader struggles like the Hundred Years’ War on urban life in Hainaut. Written from the perspective of a burgher (bourgeois) rather than a monastery or royal court, the chronicle offers a rare lay viewpoint on high politics and warfare, reflecting how merchants, townspeople, and civic institutions experienced the turbulence of the 13th and 14th centuries. Its narrative style combines straightforward reporting of events with moral and civic observations, making it a valuable source for readers interested in medieval urban society, regional politics, and the lived experience of war and governance in pre-modern Europe.
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After 1836. Durham Cathedral [Map]. Monument to Bishop William van Mildert (age 70) sculpted by John Gibson (age 45).
On 21st February 1836 Bishop William van Mildert (age 70) died.
In 1837 [his former wife] Jane Douglas (age 77) died.
Father: Cornelius van Mildert
GrandFather: William Hill of Vauxhall in Surrey
Mother: Martha Hill